[Emerging therapy in rheumatoid arthritis]

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease leading to disability. The inflammatory process resulting from autoimmunization involves mainly small joints of the hands and feet, but also can involve all joints and internal organs. Progress in immunology has caused an increase in understanding the RA pathogenesis, resulting in new methods of treatment. The breakthrough in RA therapy was initiated by TNF- alpha inhibitors, introduced during the last 10 years. TNF- alpha inhibitors were the first medications allowing improvement of disease outcome. However, more than half of patients do not achieve ACR50 improvement criteria, remission is rare, and the treatment is associated with side effects. Therefore, new and better drugs are being sought. In this review, new preparations for RA treatment currently under preclinical and clinical examination are described.